Probiotics and oral tolerance

Abstract

The invention refers to food products comprising at least a mean to promote the oral tolerance phenomenon ( Lactobacillus paracasei ), to food products comprising at least a mean to maintain the oral tolerance phenomenon ( Bifidobacterium lactis ), and to food products comprising means to promote and maintain the oral tolerance phenomenon (combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidocateria). The food product is intended for infants, babies, children, and also for pets. The invention refers to food products which are not intended for allergic populations.

1 . A method of manufacturing a food product for the maintenance of oral tolerance to antigens comprising the step of using Bifidobacteria to produce the food product.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the  Bifidobacterium  is a  Bifidobacterium lactis.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the  Bifidobacterium  is  Bifidobacterium lactis  ATCC 27536.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the added bacteria are inactivated or dead.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the food product is an infant formula.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the bacteria are present in the food product in an amount of 10 5 , to 10 8 , cfu/mL.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the food product is a pet food.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the bacteria are present in an amount of 10 4  and 10 8  cfu/g.  
     
     
         9 . A method for the manufacture of a food product for the promotion and maintenance of oral tolerance to antigens comprising the steps of using a  Lactobacillus  and a  Bifidobacterium  to manufacture the food product.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the  Lactobacillus  is a  Lactobacillus paracasei  and the  Bifidobacterium  is a  Bifidobacterium lactis.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the  Lactobacillus paracasei  is  Lactobacillus paracasei  CNCM I-2116 and the  Bifidobacterium lactis  is  Bifidobacterium lactis  ATCC 27536.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the food product is an infant formula.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the Lactobacilli:Bifidobacteria ratio is comprises between 10:1 and 1:1.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the Lactobacilli:Bifidobacteria ratio comprises between 1:10 and 1:1.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the food product is a pet food.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the amount of microorganisms in the food product is comprised between 10 4  to 10 8  cfu/g of food product or cfu/mL.  
     
     
         17 . A method for decreasing the risk of rejecting transplants in an individual comprising the steps of administering to an individual having a transplant a food product comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a probiotic.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the food product comprises a  Lactobacillus  to induce oral tolerance, and a  Bifidobacterium  to maintain an oral tolerance previously induced.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein  Lactobacillus  is  Lactobacillus paracasei , preferably  Lactobacillus paracasei  CNCM I-2116.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  wherein the  Bifidobacterium  is a  Bifidobacterium lactis , preferably Bb 12 strain ATCC 27536.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the bacteria are present in the food product in an amount of 10 5  to 10 7  cfu/mL.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the bacteria are present in the food product in an amount of 10 6  cfu/mL.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the bacteria are present in the food product in an amount of 10 5  and 10 8  cfu/g.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23  wherein the food product is a liquid product.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the amount of microorganisms in the food product comprises between 10 4  to 10 9  cfu/g.  
     
     
         26 . A method for the promotion or maintenance of oral tolerance to an antigen in an infant comprising the step of administering to the infant a product comprising a  Lactobacillus  and a  Bifidobacterium.    
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the product is administered to the infant after contact with an antigen.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the product is administered to the infant prior to contact with an antigen.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the  Lactobacillus  is a  Lactobacillus paracasei  and the  Bifidobacterium  is a  Bifidobacterium lactis.    
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the  Lactobacillus paracasei  is  Lactobacillus paracasei  CNCM I-2116 and the  Bifidobacterium lactis  is  Bifidobacterium lactis  ATCC 27536.